Swansea disappointed in Liverpool interest in Allen

Joe Allen

SWANSEA, Wales   ●  Swansea City have confirmed that Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing midfielder Joe Allen, despite an agreement with the Welsh side that Brendan Rodgers cannot approach his former players within 12 months.

Allen, 22, has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool as former Swans boss Rodgers looks to bolster his midfield options ahead of his debut season in charge at Anfield.

Rodgers had agreed, though, that as part of his release he would not make an approach for any of his ex-players unless a rival club makes a bid for their services, but it has been suggested on Wednesday a release clause in Allen’s contract could pave the way for an exit.

It is claimed that Allen’s terms, which he extended last summer, dictate that an offer of £15 million from a ‘top’ club would trigger a clause that would allow personal terms to be discussed.

A Swansea City statement read: “Swansea City can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield.

“There has also been interest from other clubs regarding his possible availability and the club is due to speak to Joe, as originally planned, about the situation when he returns from GB duty.

“The club is not prepared to release any details on whether any formal bids have been made at this stage or details of Joe’s contract, which are private and confidential. The club is extremely disappointed that speculation regarding certain aspects of his contract have been released to the media by parties outside the club.

“Fortunately the club is in a financial position where it does not need to sell any of its players and will continue to work in the best interests of its supporters, who are our priority, and the club to provide new manager Michael Laudrup with the best opportunity to be successful in the forthcoming Premier League campaign.”

Allen has made over 100 league appearances for Swansea, scoring seven goals, and caught the eye in Premier League last season with his neat passing game.

●  Sunderland defender Michael Turner is in the process of completing a move to Norwich City, reportedly undergoing a medical at Carrow Road on Wednesday.

Turner, 28, arrived at Sunderland from Hull City in 2009 for a fee of £4 million after previous spells at Brentford and Charlton.

With the arrival of Carlos Cuellar at the Stadium of Light, joining existing centre-backs John O’Shea and Wes Brown, Turner’s first-team prospects looked limited for the season to come.

Martin O’Neill is keen to trim his squad and fellow defenders Matthew Kilgallon and Titus Bramble are also believed to be surplus to requirements on Wearside.

Turner had been linked with a return to Hull, currently managed by former Steve Bruce, but the former Sunderland manager came out to deny these claims.

Norwich, though, are keen to bolster their defensive options and Turner will follow Scotland international Steven Whittaker, signed from Rangers on a free transfer, in arriving in East Anglia this summer.

● AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy has extended his contract at the Serie A club through to 2017.

The 19-year-old El Shaarawy impressed after signing from Genoa last offseason, scoring two goals in 22 league appearances for Milan.

El Shaarawy spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Padova, helping the Serie B team to the playoff final and winning the award for the league’s best player.

El Shaarawy is widely considered to be one of the most highly rated youngsters in Italy.

Milan announced the extension on Wednesday.